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2013 Mule Day promises to be one of the best yet

By MARVINE SUGG

Lifestyles Editor

Plans are being finalized for the 2013 Mule Day festivities which begin Monday, April 1, and conclude on Sunday, April 7, and promises to be one of the best yet.

According to Dave Skillington, treasurer of the Maury County Bridle & Saddle Club, sponsor of the event, Mule Day programs are available and are being distributed in Columbia and throughout Middle Tennessee.

“Our mailing list, which totals more than 6,000 and covers 35 states and Canada, were mailed in late January,” Skillington said.

The programs are available at area banks, City Hall, county offices, Maury Alliance, the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Farm Supply stores, local motels and other businesses.

A parade form is included in the Mule Day program for anyone who wants to enter a float or ride in the parade.

“We want to thank all the businesses that placed ads in the Mule Day Magazine,” Skillington added.

The cover of this year’s Mule Day program features Tanna Norman, the 2012 Mule Day Queen as she rides her mule Festus in the “Jackpot Races” during last year’s events.

“Tanna is an expert rider and always enters the barrel racing in our club shows each summer,” Skillington said. “She is the first experienced rider we have had as queen in many years.”

“The theme, ‘Race to Mule Day 2013,’ was chosen after seeing the picture on the website of the official Mule Day photographer, Bill Johnson of Horsepix Photography,” he added.

In addition to being a “guide” for all Mule Day events, the program features stories — Bob Duncan has written a story on the missing Mule Day “crown” from the 1950 Mule Day; Adam Southern has a story on Mule Day postcards; and a feature on Rippavilla and the Tennessee Museum was provided by the Maury County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

Tanna is also featured on the cover of the February issue of Western Mule Magazine along with Kit, the King Mule for 2011.

The magazine is published by Ben and Neta Tennison of Marshfield, Mo., who have been attending Mule Day events for the past 19 years. The Tennisons call Maury County’s Mule Day “rural America at its best.” They will be located at Maury County Park across from the Mule Day office. The February issue of the Western Mule Magazine also contains several articles about the 2013 Mule Day event.

New to Mule Day this year will be a gospel singing on Wednesday night at the Ridley 4-H Center on Lion Parkway, which is expected to draw a lot of interest before the out-of-town crowd arrives.

The Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club will once again host the “State Auctioneer Contest” on Friday morning at the Livestock Producers Sale Barn on Industrial Park Road. Last year’s contest was a first, and it proved to be a huge success.

MULE DAY PAGEANT

The Mule Day Pageant will be held on March 9 at Columbia State Community College. For details, call the Mule Day Office at (931) 381-9557.

Tanna says she will be happy to help prepare girls who are considering entering the pageant. To contact her, email tnsfscheerleader@hotmail.com.

“I grew up on the back of a mule, and I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to enter the pageant,

she said. “Being Mule Day Queen is a life-changing experience. It was a great experience to be introduced, along with my court, to the General Assembly and speaking about Mule Day. We are really blessed to have such a great pageant in Maury County. It has been the best year of my life. Papa Dave (as all the girls call Dave Skillington), Lisa Flatt, pageant director, and all the girls in the court have made my year complete.”

A senior at Santa Fe High School, Tanna participates in pole bending and barrel racing competitions, shows sponsored by the Maury County Bridle & Saddle Club; she participates in cross country running, is a cheerleader and has participated in and won numerous pageants including being named “Miss Photogenic” in the Tennessee State Fairest of the Fair.

The daughter of Monte and Tonya Norman, Tanna has a 9-year-old brother Ty. Upon graduation, she plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Martin and major in agribusiness with a minor in marketing.

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